EQUESTRIAN
Loading for first time
Although this winter seems to be dragging
on forever very soon we will be thinking of
starting the summer shows.
This year, having a four-year-old that has
not left home yet we thought we had better
introduce him to the horsebox. In fact it is a
very useful thing for a horse to be used to
doing and the earlier this is done the better.
When you are late for that ferry or the show
you are looking forward to, and getting to the
bottom of the ramp and stopping there can
be so frustrating. So it’s a good idea to take
time out beforehand to train him to go in and
out as a matter of course, and there are times
when it’s crucial that the horse has learnt to
load, for instance when he’s sick or lame and
needs to visit the vets as an emergency.
Trying to persuade a large animal to walk
into a small confined space is not easy and
having the horse and lorry prepared is very
important. This is where your handling comes
in. If the horse will not lead properly, or tries to
pull away, you stand no chance, so having the
right equipment is so important.
To start a horse to load for the first time I
like to bandage their legs for safety and have
a bridle on for extra control. The lorry should
be in a safe place as open as possible and
the ramp as low as possible.
Getting the horse to step onto the ramp is
usually the first thing to overcome and I find
encourage him onwards and upwards and
a useful exercise to do is to teach the horse
straight. Once in the lorry let him stand in the
to walk onto a rubber mat flat on the floor
position he is going to travel without shutting
walking with you a few times and then place
him in; let him have a look around and a
the mat on the ramp so it looks familiar.
reward with a pat and a tit bit until he seems
He needs to keep walking forwards to the
top of the ramp and on into the lorry, so
it is good having someone behind him to
relaxed and happy and then bring him down
again.
Sometimes they can be wary of coming
down, so try to make them walk down and
not jump. If you repeat this several times the
horse soon becomes happy to walk straight
in.
I like to practice loading a few times
before actually driving with them so they
disassociate the loading with travelling. Then
for the first journey it should be long enough
for him to get use to the movement but not
too long that he gets tired or worried. Take
him somewhere that’s not exciting for a few
outings so he doesn’t think going in the lorry
is party time. The main thing is to stay calm
and give yourself plenty of time. Think of it as
a training exercise not just a way of getting
from A to B.
Equine trainer Robert Booth BHSI • Rodgebrook Horses • Tel: 01983 521870 • rodgebrookhorses.co.uk
www.visitislandlife.com
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